A Lowell firefighter packs up his gear in sub-20degree weather after first responders worked for more than 30 minutes Wednesday night to rescue a man from the Merrimack River. A heroic effort by the State Police Air Wing unit eventually pulled the man from the water, police said. SUN / TODD FEATHERS

LOWELL -- Skillful flying by the State Police Air Wing brought to an end a desperate and heroic effort Wednesday night to rescue a distraught 24-year-old Lowell man from the frigid Merrimack River.

The man, who was spotted floating 100 feet out into the river near the Aiken Street bridge shortly after 7 p.m., was in the water for more than 30 minutes, Lowell police Lt. Donald Crawford said. He was taken to Lowell General Hospital for treatment and was expected to survive, according to a press release from state police.

When the Lowell Fire Department arrived on scene, firefighters attempted to deploy boats for a water rescue but were unable to do so due to mechanical problems. According to a press release from state police, the boats' propellers became damaged on ice and the vessels became disabled.

The Coast Guard and other nearby fire and police departments determined that they would not be able to provide boats or air rescue teams in time to save the man.

About five minutes before he was pulled from the water, only the man's face and one arm were above the surface, Crawford said.

"The situation started becoming dire at that point," he said. "The State Police Air Wing was able to rescue the victim from the water through some amazing flying and truly heroic actions in the water to pull that victim into the helicopter. At some points, the skids of the helicopter were actually in the water.

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The following is the narrative of the state police press release on the rescue:

"Lowell officials requested that State Police Air Wing respond from its Lawrence air base. MSP Air 4, a helicopter piloted by Trooper John Hazelrigg and carrying Tactical Flight Officer Russ Phippen, responded. The troopers observed that the man had slipped into water that was now neck high and that he was becoming immobile and likely hypothermic.

"Cognizant that the rescue boats were not able to reach the man, the troopers flew to nearby LeLacheur Park and landed. There, Trooper Phippen changed his position in the helicopter from the starboard front seat to a rear seat. Air 4 then flew back to the man in the river.

"Trooper Hazelrigg maneuvered for several minutes to get the helicopter into position for a rescue, ultimately getting it so close enough to the victim that the aircraft's skids were in the water," the release continued. "Trooper Phippen opened the door and, strapped in, hung outside the helicopter and grabbed the hypothermic victim, who was not moving on his own.

"Trooper Phippen pulled the man inside the helicopter.

The State Police Airwing flies low over the Merrimack River in Lowell to rescue a man from the frigid waters Wednesday night. COURTESY CRISSIE MURPHY

The crew then flew the victim directly to Lowell General Hospital, landing at the hospital's heliport. Because the door had frozen in the open position, the flight to the hospital was undertaken with the door open."

It was not immediately clear Wednesday night how the man ended up in the water.

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